
The story begins with Millie, who is starting a new life after spending ten years in prison – a secret she keeps from her new employer. Initially, Nina, the homeowner, seems pleasant, though a bit high-strung. Her daughter, Cece, is withdrawn, and her husband, Andrew, is cautiously optimistic about having a live-in housekeeper. However, Nina’s behavior quickly becomes erratic. She has outbursts, unfairly criticizes Millie, and gives conflicting instructions. Millie learns from a nanny that Nina was previously hospitalized for threatening herself and her daughter, and local mothers whisper that Andrew deserves better than Nina. As Nina’s abuse escalates – Millie even needs rescuing from her a couple of times – and Millie notices Andrew’s good looks, she starts to believe the gossip. After a particularly unstable episode leads to an affair between Millie and Andrew, Andrew leaves Nina. But this turns out to be exactly what Nina intended – she’s been secretly planning her escape from an abusive and controlling husband all along.